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Pathway to licensing explained

We invite you to partner with Youth for Christ and The Church by joining us in a growing ministry providing care for the foster children of Washington State. Foster Care to Permanency is a ministry for many Christians throughout Washington and a profound calling to consider for your family.

YFC welcomes your interest in becoming a licensed foster family. This initial process can seem confusing and sometimes cumbersome. Indeed, the application process does have many steps. We hope to simplify and clarify this for you and to introduce you to the Ministry of Seattle Youth for Christ Foster Care.

The licensing process starts with Orientation and the YFC Connection Evening. This is a great opportunity to share with you our Youth for Christ Foster Care to Permanency Ministry and answer your questions about foster care.

Step One: Orientation and Connection Meetings

DSHS Online Orientation

YFC Orientation requirements start by viewing the DSHS on line videos. This is also a DSHS orientation requirement.  The video website can be found on-line at:

http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/fosterparents/preservice.asp

Once you open this page:

  • Select the link “Online Orientation.” When the link opens, you will see three videos listed on this page: “Families for Kids,” “Child Abuse Reporting,” and “View the Presentation.” 
  • Please watch each video completely.
  • The third video titled “View the Orientation” will have a quiz at the end that will serve for now, as your proof of completion.
  • View the video, take the quiz, print the quiz, sign it, and bring it to the YFC Connections Evening.

YFC Connections Meetings

Attending the Youth for Christ Foster Care Connections Meetings completes the orientation requirement for foster licensing. This 2 hour meeting is held at the Overlake Christian Church in Redmond.

Please register to attend the next meeting by contacting Karly Leib by email: karly@yfcseattlemetro.com or by phone: 206-399-8607.

We will personally introduce you to our ministry and help you decide if we are a good fit for your family. You will receive certificate of completion for the DSHS Orientation requirement after attending this meeting.

Step Two: Application Packet

Contact Cheryl Hollstrom for the YFC application forms and list of required supporting documentation. The application must be completed and all supporting documentation attached before submitting the packet.

Step Three: PRIDE pre-service training

Complete PRIDE Training, 32 hour foster parent training.  This training is nine sessions over four days to prepare you for foster parenting.  The course challenges you to grow and develop as an advocate foster parent working with YFC, the Courts, and DCFS to protect and parent children in Washington State Dependency. During this course you will consider what type of child you can successfully foster and what changes you will be bringing to your home and family life.

You can register for PRIDE through the YFC Licensing office, by contacting Karly Leib. Your application packet and all supporting documents will be due at the completion of the PRIDE course work.

The following is a link to the Mandated Reporter video online. This is required for both the primary caregiver and spouse, so if your spouse did not attend the PRIDE session that included this video you can view it online.

http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/safety/abuseReq.asp?2

Step Four: Homestudy and Home Inspection 

Following the completion of your application packet and PRIDE, YFC will contact you to schedule your homestudy and your home inspection. A foster homestudy is the document that tells Licensing about you and your fitness for foster care. A Homestudy Specialist will contact you to schedule a minimum of two home visit interviews, more may be necessary to complete the study. As part of this process the Homestudy Specialist will inspect your home to determine that your home meets the basic requirements for licensing.

Step Five: Licensing to Placement

When all of the requirements and your homestudy are completed you are ready for the final step. We will make sure everything is accurate and complete before submitting your completed application to the Department of Licensed Resources for final approval of your Washington State Foster License. 

Once licensed, you will receive a Washington State Foster License by Mail from Department of Licensed Resources.

YFC will then begin the process of identifying your first foster placement. You will be contacted by a YFC placement specialist to discuss this process.